January Planning - questions, tips, advice, feedback

[Awesome_guy]

Context:

This is a RunDisney trip! Thurs Jan 7 to Tues Jan 12. 3 Runners registered in the Full (2 of the 3 for the Goofy actually, but the Full is the MAIN goal) with some others potentially coming and going. Staying at Dolphin (I have stayed before; the other two haven't). Arrive early evening (5pm) Depart early evening (5pm). All booked. Was tempted for Caribbean which was a bit cheaper and has DME but Dolphin will be a better "fit" for this group.

A bit of what-would-you-do here:

* According to website Splash Mountain is closed for refurb Jan 10, 11, 12. Typhoon Lagoon and Soarin' for the full trip. Is the refurb schedule super accurate in terms of if we leave it until the 9th (it's a must-do; don't get there often) we should be good. Or should we be trying further beforehand.
* I think I can book FastPass+ Nov 8. Is there a way to calculate? I have our stay on MDE. All good. Know how to get passes and link them ahead of time.
* Will do Park Hopper because that's my style and know that's a fixed add-on. I BELIEVE we can add on extra days while we're there, true? I'm tempted to get the 6 days in case we pop in even for a tiny bit. But really if we guess 4 or 5, is it easy to add the 1 or 2 days? Have never "added".
* Friday will be a Universal Park 2-Park day to do Harry Potter etc. So that's our one-off. In January doing the main/thrill aspects of both parks should be possible? Hours are 9-8. DS has EMH until 10 so a bit of a chance of getting TSM or ToT or RnR in afterwards. Might be pushing it.
* Arrival day. Will we have time to get to expo by 7 to get bibs? Or instead to Fantasmic by 7 (closer?) or should we just do Illuminations? uses a pass but open until 9. Was also thinking Beaches and Cream or something in resort area. Tough one to decide.
* Dolphin: if others join our stay up to 4 does room count tally matter for whole trip, or if we have fans/runners for one night or 2 night could count/fees vary night-to-night? i.e. 2 of us Thurs, Fri, Mon; 3 of us Sat, Sun. Especially as FP+ etc gets linked.
* Dining reservations: haven't made any yet but which is worse: overestimating or underestimating? i.e. make a reservation for Beaches and Cream for 4 but 2 show up or make reservation for 2 and 4 show up (can't imagine that would work). Can you tell I'm the planner of the group, haha?

Really I've been the most of the group and the run is the focus. Would like to see each night show. Would like to get each "mountain" in. 7DMT, too. Haven't done it. TSM, Philharmagic, Everest, and a few others. One friend did Disneyland Paris with me and didn't love it (was his first Disney park); curious to see how this one compares.

I know this is a bit all over the place. Any feedback is welcome. BB is a possibility too. Really depends on how sore we are and how the early morning run times affect sleep etc. Bit of a balancing act. The closing times are earlier than the spring break and summer times I'm used to. Have never done January so am hoping even with RunDisney that the crowds are a bit more light than I'm used to.

Thanks crew! Appreciate this site always in these moments.

[Dulcee]

Staying at the Dolphin you can book your FP+ 60 days in advance, assuming you have purchased a ticket package or have linked your tickets to your account by then.

Adding days is super easy! We did it our last trip you just need to be sure to do it before using the final day on your ticket. Take your tickets to the front desk at your hotel or to the customer service of any of the 4 theme parks and they can help you out.

As far as reservations I'd make them for 4 and if you find out before that you are down to 2 to call and modify down. Some places may have the flexibility to go from 2 to 4 on the fly but many may not.